We now use only cloth napkins and also have many small washcloths for DS's messes. I do keep some paper towels in the house but very rarely use them.
I wouldn't even consider giving up TP and feminine products unless is was mandated by law! However, I know there are some things I do that people wouldn't even consider doing.

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I still need my tp, and monthly supplies. I am with you adda15. Unless mandated by law I woouldn't get rid of them either

we are not paper free at all. i'm all for saving money, but i'm sorry... i've got to have my toilet paper. i thought my husband would gag when i read him the original post. we couldn't do the "family cloths" instead of toilet paper.

Well, I am bad. I use a lot of paper products. Actually "natural" feminine hygiene honestly doesn't sound that bad to me. And I try to use rags in place of paper towels throughout the day. But... I use paper plates and cups regularly. It makes my life so much easier. I don't think I would be able to prepare as many meals at home as I do, if I had to do all the dishes and glasses afterward.

I just switched to cloth napkins. It's only been a couple of days but so far so good. I've been using dish rags and microfiber cloths for a few weeks now. I still have to keep paper towels for some messes. But they are made from recycled products so that's not so bad, I guess. Same for TP. I wont ever give up my TP but it is also a recycled paper product. I still use disposable tampons and pads and that wont change! I also use disposable diapers and wipes but dd is older now so doesn't go through as many in a day. We don't use paper plates at all unless we are having a big bbq or something.

I've cut back on paper towels, don't use paper plates or cups unless it is a big party or picnic.

I tried the diva cup but it was a mess.

My husband would flip out if I presented him with a family cloth.

I guess we're paper hogs.

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I've been pretty paper-free in the past, got really bad, and I'm trying to go back.

We've kept disposables on-hand mostly because we're on a well and need back-up in case we lose water. With that in mind I have disposable products stored: paper plates, bowls, cups, plastic utensils, wet wipes, paper towels, etc.

When my arthritis flares, we go back to using the disposables because they're lighter weight. Yes, there are times when it is hard to even lift a dish or glass.

But it has really gotten out of hand so I'm trying to eliminate all disposables from the house. This includes aluminum foil, plastic wrap and disposable food storage containers (baggies, etc).

A handkerchief instead of tissue - easy.
Cloth napkins instead of paper napkins - easy.
Rags instead of paper towels - a little harder for some jobs like draining the grease off bacon but I'm working on it.
Feminine products - had a hyst so there is no need - whew! Problem solved.
Diapers - no one that age but would probably still use disposable diapers.
Wash cloth instead of wet wipes - I really like wet wipes so we might have a supply somewhere around the house and in the car for a very long time.
TP - that's where I draw the line. I'm pretty sure I'll always use TP.

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I could NOT stop using toilet paper and disposable feminine products.

I have been using washclothes for rags instead of paper towels a lot lately, and I've been considering buying cloth napkins but haven't happened across them yet. I haven't actively looked at retail stores either and I should. Any suggestions on where to buy? (I've heard thrift stores are a good source but I haven't had ANY luck, it's the one place I have looked).

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:love:

I read this thread, and I got to thinking on how many items I could eliminate. I will always have tp and the feminine products. That is where I cut my line. But I liked the mention on tin foil, plastic wrap, and baggies. I am going to give it a try. I did have one question. Do you all still use garbage and trash can liners? If not, what else do you do?

I did some googling after that other thread last night. I don't see us going to non tp but I do have to comment that the name 'family cloth' just makes it sound SO much 'yukkier' to me. That name to me sounds like 'sharing a cloth' or something lol... it was REALLLLY gross in my mind 'til I read up on it. Wonder how that name originated.

I also had to research to know what a diva cup was. I used something similar called 'instead' but you're supposed to throw those away after they get full.... they were GOOD for use, but MAN, they were a PAIN *read huge mess* to change.. HATED if i had to change them away from home.

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